Exploding wedge



R. B. HUTCHISON EXPLODING WEDGE Filed 03%,... 16, 1929 WW2. z/ gPatented Oct. 11, 1932 STATES crate FATE BOBElB'I' B. HUTCHISON, OFWILKm'SBURG, PENNSYLVANIA mnonme WEDGE Application filed October 16,1929. Serial No. 400,087.

' This invention relates to means for splitting logs, stumps, and rockformations by means of the explosive force generated by the ignition ofexplosive material confined within a driven element embedded in the ob-'which it is desired to split.

Objects of the invention are: to provide a driven wedge member adaptedto direct the action of an explosive charge for splitting a log or otherbody of material into which the wedge is driven; to provide an explosivewedge having a driving shank formed as a barrel or charge containingcylinder for explosive material; to provide an exploding wedge having'acharge containing element 29 in, communication with blow-out aperturesin the body of the wedge; to provide an exploding wedge having blow-outpassages formed therethrough for directing explosive force laterally ofthe wedge; to provide an exploding wedge having a blunt entrant edgespaced slightly from a blow-out passage formed transversely through thebody of the wedge; and generally to provide a novel and so improvedconstruction of exploding wedge.

With these and such other objects in view as will be apparent from thedescription, the invention residefin the novel construction,combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed,and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown onepractical, physical embodiment of the principlesof my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a wedge con- .w structed in accordance withthe invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken therethrough.- L

Prior to this invention there have been various devices of this generaltype, known as blasting wedges, but such devices have been open to gravedefects in that due to their construction or configuration, theexplosive force generated has been practically entirely lost in eachinstance through the 0 crack made by the wedge when being driven into alog. Accordingly the wedge functioned merely as a splitting member undermanually applied force and not as a splitting member under explosiveforce. Other defects were apparent in faulty construction whereby thewedge deteriorated under repeated use and so far as I am aware, priortothis invention no successful exgploding Wedge has been produced.

The present invention is designed to overcome the defects of priordevices of this general nature and to provide an efiicient wedge whichwill operate-with a maximum efliciency under all conditions of service.In detail my improved wedge construction comprises a hollow cylindricalshank or barrel 10 of suitably heavy and durable metal having anintegrally closed top end forming a driving head 11 and having its lowerend open and internally reamed for a portion of its length to receive intight fitting engagement the cylindrical neck 12 of a wedge head 13. Theneck 12 is reduced with respect to the wedge head and'is providedthroughout its length with a longitudinal bore 14 communicating at oneend with a chamber 15 formed within the shank 10 for reception of ableexplosive material, not shown, he diameter of the bore 14 beingconsiderably less than that of the chamber 15, so that the explosiveeffect is greatly accentuated at the discharge opening 16.

As clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing iii addition to forming arestricted outlet for the barrel 10, the walls of the neck 12 being ofsubstantially the same thickness as the walls of the barrel form areinforcement for the explosion chamber at the point these parts areengaged.

At the lower end of the passage 14 the body of the wedge head 13 isformed with a transverse blow-out opening 16 which extends entirelythrough the body of the wedge from side to side as best shown in Figure2. Immediately adjacent and forwardly of the opening 16, each side faceof the wedge body is provided with a holding groove 17 and 18respectively, which grooves extend downwardly of the wedge in thedirection of its bottom or entrant edge 19. This entrant suitedge of thewedge body is made blunt as best shown in Figure 2 and is not formed asa sharpened entrant member, the taper of the wedge being insufiicient tocause splitting by 5 driving force.

The entire wedge structure just described is compact and of a relativelyshort overall length, the capacity of the chamber 15 being ordinarilysuch as to hold about two ounces of blasting powder. The shank 10 isformed with a port 20 through which is disposed a fuse 21 whereby theexplosive charge within the chamber may be ignite In assembling thedevice, the neck 12 of the wedge head is forced into the reamed end ofthe barrel 10 and the parts are then integrally united by building up anannular electric weld 22 around the exterior of the joint at the end ofthe shank barrel.

Among the advantages of the wedge illustrated and described are: it canbe made at low cost; being made in two parts and welded to form anintegral wedge; it has no surplus material to add to weight or increasesize beyond what is absolutely necessary; there is no possibility of thewedge being blown apart by overloading with explosive; it enables userto split more logs, etc. than possible by present methods or devices"and its compactness and light weight enables shipment by parcel post.

- In operation, the barrel 10 is up ended and the chamber 15 is filledwith a desired amount of explosive material by pouring through the bore14:, the fuse 21 having been aesaeir the blow-out opening 16 actinglaterally from oposite sides of the wedge head to split the l0%vryefiectively.

ile I have illustrated and described cer tain details and pecularitiesof construction entering into this invention, I desire it to beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, but that anydesired changes and modifications may be made in such details as willfall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a barrel closed at one endand open at its opposite end, a neck of a smaller diameter than thebarrel fitted in said barrel at its open end providing a restrictedoutlet for the barrel and also reinforcing the latetr, and a wedge onsaid neck having means communicated through said outlet with the barreland adapted to,direct the force of the explosion from the restrictedoutlet through opposite sides of the wedge.

2. In a device of the character described, a barrel closed at one endand open at its opposite end, a neck of a smaller diameter than thebarrel having a tubular-bore and walls of substantially the samethickness as the barrel walls fitted in the barrel at its open end, anda wedge on said neck having means communicating with the bore adapted todirect the force of an explosion through opposite sides of the wedge.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

ROBERT B. HUTCHISON.

positioned prior to this operation. A suit-.'

able wad or packing is placed within the bore 1% as will be understoodby all persons familiar with blasting operations, and the wedge head 13is then ready for embedding in a log to be split. In using the wedge forsplitting logs and the like, a heavy mall or sledge may be em loyedagainst the drive head 11 to force t e wedge head 13 only suficientlytar into the body of the log to cover the blow-out opening 16, thebarrel remaining exposed. The wedge should not be driven any furtherthan is necessary to efi'ect a complete coverage of this blow-outopening in the body of the wedge head. By reason of the blunt entrantedge 19, the wedge head 13 will not cause an appreciable split or crackin the body of t e log such as would inevitably occur if the edge 19were made sharp. As a consequence, the log will not be split by the headof the wedge and therefore the body of the log will bear tightly againstboth side faces of the wedge head tightly sealing both ends of theblow-out opening 16 and expand around the neck 12 in back of the wedgehead as well as into the holding grooves 17 and 18 to hold the head 13against removal. When the charge is ignited throu h means of the fuse21, the full explosive orce will be dic5 rected through the reducedpassage 14; into

